The best kind of baby gear is safe, clean, and free. That combination is extremely hard to come by, but it is sometimes possible.

If you are newly expecting, you might want to consider joining a local freecycle group. These email lists usually have tons of baby gear, and can flood your inbox if you don't opt for the "digest" version of the mailings.

Unfortunately, the baby gear is frequently snatched up by someone else right before you and if it isn't, it's often really old, slightly broken, dirty or otherwise not desirable. So why do I suggest it? A saavy freecycle member can still get good items for free.

First, remember… it is free. If it takes a $3 buckle to make a $100 infant swing safe again, and you were going to buy a swing anyway, then you saved $97. Just be sure you are confident in your fix. Frankly, the best baby stuff to get off freecycle is clothing and linens. A good washing and they are like new, and you’ve saved a lot of money. A seemingly dirty item might be a great score, so don’t be automatically turned off by a stain or two. Besides, your kid will stain it soon enough.

The most important caution for freecycle is that things may or may not be safe. This is crucial. Here are a couple of basic hints for freecycle safety:

• Once you get home, check all items for recalls via the CPSC website. If it was recalled, throw it out immediately.


• Never use something that looks older than about 10 years and is painted- lead might lurk beneath the surface.


• If it is supposed to go in the baby’s mouth and cannot be washed well, don’t do it.


• Do not get car seats from freecycle. You cannot know for sure if a seat was in a crash with the previous owner, or how well it was treated in storage, or anything else. This is your baby’s life we are talking about, so in the case of safety gear like a car seat, freecycle is never worth the savings.

- Leigh G.